Resilient valve in rigid wall portions of containers



Feb. 12, 1952 l. I. TUBBS 2,585,286

RESILIENT VALVE IN RIGID WALL PORTIONS 0F CONTAINERS Filed May 2, 1949 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VEN TOR.

y m l. Tubbs I. l. TUBBS Feb. 12, 1952 RESILIENT VALVE IN RI GID WALL PORTIONS OF CONTAINERS 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. [rl Tubbs Filed May 2, 1949 Feb. 12, 1952 I. 1. TUBBS 2,585,286

RESILIENT VALVE IN RIGID WALL. PORTIONS OF CONTAINERS Filed May 2, 1949 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVEN TOR.

7 BY .Irl I. Tabb; 0 M/ QLM 6/ 15 L f di ys Feb. 12, 1952 l. I. TUBBS 2,585,286

RESILIENT VALVE IN RIGID WALL PORTIONS OF CONTAINERS Filed May 2, 1949 I 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 IN VEN TOR.

"Ir! J. Tubbs Y 7 M Feb. 12, 1952 1. I. TUBBS 2,535,286

RESILIENT VALVE IN RIGID WALL PORTIONS OF CONTAINERS Filed May 2, 1949 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 73 J 15 I llz 7 4 10a Patented Feb. 12, 1952 V -ALVE IN RIGID WALL BDRTIONSLOF CONTAINERS Iil. I; Tubbs,l Mountf Vernon, Iowa, assignor to Margaret Iowa Tubbs, trustee, Mount Vernon,

AppIicatiomMayZZ, 1949, Serial No. 90,8981 4-olaimsi (o1. 222 49o' This. invention relates in general to, valves, and more particularly, toa novel valve-containing closure member andlamethodand apparatus for making the same.

A principal, object of the invention is the pro vision of a novel closure member for a. container which efiectively prevents leakage therefrom whilee permitting repeated. insertions therethroughand. withdrawals of a tubular needle or tool, for filling or en's-playingv the container of material. which, is under, either positive or negative pressure Prior artg'structures for suchv uses have numerous; disadvantages, including leakage after oneor more, insertions of the, filling or emptying member, whichhave 'been,found to be due to reliance upon the. questionable capability of those portionsof suchrubber'valves which are not subjected to, some externally applied compressive forces to return to normal condition after having been stretched therefrom by the fillingor emptyingmember.

' An object of the present invention, therefore, is to eliminate the disadvantages of such structures by providing, a relatively rigid closure memher for the container having an'apertured portion, and placing a rubber valve member, having a slit therethrough, in such aperture under compression so that the apertured portion retains an intermediate part of the valve under circumfere'ritial "compression, and axial tension whicl'r per-- mits insertion and withdrawal; of a filling or emptying member or toolthrough the slit,"and relie'sjupon theinhe'rent elasti'cityofthe rubber, as augmented by such confining forcesapplied externally thereto by the, relatively rigid member, to seal'the' 'aperture; to" permit 'suflicient elastic deformation oi'the valve toenable insertion of the tool; and to causethe return of the valve to normal closed condition, upon withdrawal of th'e tool, to prevent any leakage through the slit. Itis'to beunderstood that the slit referred to preferably is cut in or through thevalvemember without removing any of the rubber therefrom, and" is therefore normally closed, sothat this member will function as a valve against relatively low pressures to prevent leakage through the slit without the assistance of any: externally applied forces. For substantial pressures, however, it is I necessary to retain aportion of such a valve under confining compressive forces. commensurate-with the pressuresinvolved in order tolmainthrough the slit. The elastic; deformation: of. Dari? of the valve resultin gffrom insertion. ofa, tool through the slit therein and, its return tqnormal condition upon withdrawal. of, the tool, inserted through the slit. The elastic deformation f part of the valve resulting from insertion or a tool through, the slit. therein and its return to normal condition upon withdrawal of the tool Will sometimes hereinafter be referred to, as the flow-7 of the rubber out ofand' back i-ntothe neck-like portion of the, closure, member. Such flow of the rubber confined under compression has T been found to be extremely reliable andit effects a perfect seal at all times.

Another object of the invention is toprovide a closure, having an aperture surrounded and',' 'd elined by a. rigid flange, with, a substantially grommet-shapedrubber valve having a slit extending lengthwise therethrough to permit insertion andwithdrawal of suitable to,ols, ,a., central or intermediate portion which has a cross-sectional area greater than thatof. theaperturebefore' the valve is mountedtherein, so that the flange maintains such central portion of the valve under circumferential compression at, all, times andprevents. leakage through the apertureor' the slit, and at leastone end portion of greater crosssectional dimensions than the flange so as to overlie. the flangeito prevent accidental; removal of the valve from thea'pertu'ref Another object of the invention is the provision of a novel method of makingv such a; clo- 'member';

Another object of the invention is the provision oi a machine for accomplishing the slit ting of such rubber valve members, and themsertion' thereof in the apertures of such closure members,'automaticallyinstep-by-step sequence.

A further object is to provide a retaining-memher for a rubber valve insuch a machine having a slightly smaller cross-sectional area than that f at least one, of the end portions of-the valve so as to retain the valve in proper position for slitting, and, having an end portion of smaller cross-sectional 'are'avthan that of the aperture in the closure member, so as to eliminate any strain against thelatter as the valve is forced; out of g the retaining member and, intomthejclpsilre member and to elongate the valve sufficiehtly as 3 it is passed therethrough to enable it to be properly positioned lengthwise in the aperture of the closure member.

Numerous other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent as it is better understood from the following description, which, when taken in conection with the accompanying drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment thereof.

In the drawings Figure l is a vertical sectional view of a container provided with a valve-containing closure member embodying the features of the instant invention, and showing a tubular tool inserted through the valve;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view similar to Fig. l, on an enlarged scale, of the closure member with the rubber valve mounted therein;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the valve-containing closure member of Fig.2;

Fig. 4 is a vertical section, similar to Fig. 2, of the rubber valve in its normal condition prior to insertion in a closure member;

Fig. 5 is a vertical section through a compound mold for forming a plurality of the rubber valves;

Fig. 6 is a bottom plan view of the top plate of the mold of Fig. 5, with the guide pins shown in section;

Fig. 7 is a top plan view, similar to Fig. 6, of the lower plate of Fig. 5, showing part of the spacer plate at the right side thereof;

Fig. 8 is a plan view, with parts broken away, of a manual valve inserting and slitting tool;

Fig. 9 is a side elevation of the tool of Fig. 8, with a part of the handle thereof shown in section;

Fig. 10 is an end view, as seen from the line |li--|0 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 11 is a top plan view, with part of the table broken away, of an automatic machine for slitting and inserting the valves in the closure members in step-by-step sequence; v

Fig. 12 is a detail vertical section taken substantially on the line |2|2 of Fig. 11;

Fig. 13 is a vertical section taken substantially on the line |3|3 of Fig. 11, and showing a valve retained in initial operating postion;

Fig. 14 is a view similar to Fig. 13 of the mechanism at the operation station in the position assumed immediately following slitting of a valve;

Fig. 15 is a view similar to Fig. 14, showing the position of the parts assumed immediately prior to the completion of the valve inserting step; and

Fig. 16 is a View similar to Figs. 14 and 15, showing the slitting, inserting, and valve-containing mechanisms in their completely retracted positions, and a closure member following insertion of a valve therein.

Referring more particularly to Figs. 1 to 4, reference numeral 2| indicates in general a container adapted to retain dispensable material under pressure, which comprises a main body portion 22, a bottom end 23, and an open-ended top member 24 terminating at its upper end in a neck portion of well-known construction, shown in Fig. 1 as being sealed by means of a closure member embodying the features of the present invention, and designated generally by reference numeral 25. The main body 22 of this container 2| is provided at each end with the usual turnedback flanges cooperating with similar flanges on the outer edges of the bottom and top end members 23 and 24, in well-known manner, to provide the usual rolled flange attachment therebetween. This construction is that normally employed in beer cans or other similar disposable containers and, as in such prior art containers, the throat or neck of the top end member 24 terminates in the usual rolled-back flange.

The closure member 25 is relatively rigid in construction and preferably is formed as a sheet metal stamping. The central portion of this closure member is provided with an aperture 26 surrounded by a. valve-retaining means in the form of an upstanding annular flange 21. A similarly disposed outer flange 28, having its upper edge reversely rolled in the manner best illustrated in Fig. 2, completes this closure member 25. After a rubber valve, indicated generally by reference numeral 29, has been mounted in the aperture 26of the closure member 25, in a manner to be described in detail hereafter, this novel unit in its form of Figs. 2 and 3 is ready for attachment. to the container 2| of Fig. 1.

As one example of the numerous possible uses of this novel closure member, it will be presumed that the container 2| is to be employed as a means for retaining cream and dispensing gas under pressure for periodic uses in the home, and adapted to be thrown away after having been emptied of such contents. For such use, the proper amount of cream is introduced into the container 2| through the open throat of the top end member 24 which, in the case of a pint container, comprises 6 or 7 liquid ounces of cream. With a standard gasket of rubber, or other suitable material, applied to either the rolled-back flange of the throat portion of the end 24, or the lower surface of the rolled-back portion of the flange 28 of the closure member 25, the latter is permanently secured to the container by wellknown means in the manner illustrated in Fig. 1. It will be understood that such gasket means interposed between the top end member 24 and the closure member 25 may, if desired, be applied to these members by spraying during the previous manufacture thereof;

A filling tool 3| in the form of a tubular member or hollow needle is then inserted through the rubber valve 29, and a suitable gas, such as nitrous oxide or a combination of carbon dioxide therewith, is introduced under pressure through such tool to the interior of the container 2|. In actual practice, a suitable pressure for such gas may be anywhere within the limits of to 225 pounds per square inch, it being understood that these limits and the dispensing and dispensable materials herein described are merely illustrative of one possible use to which the instant invention may be put. Following such introduction of the dispensing gas under pressure to the container 2|, the tool 3| is removed or withdrawn from the valve 29, and the latter provides a perfect seal to prevent leakage through the aperture26 of the closure member 25, for reasons which will be more fully set forth hereinafter. The container 2| is then ready for the ultimate consumer, who may obtain desired quantities of whipped cream therefrom by inserting a, suitable dispensing member, similar in the construction of its lower end to the tool 3|, through the rubber valve 29 and, as will be more readily apparent after a reading of the following description of this valve member, an indefinite number of such insertions and withdrawals of the dispensing member may be effected without impairing the sealing function of the valve 29 or affecting its operation in any manner. Of course, this is just one possible use of the instant invention, and it will be understood that the container 2| may just as well be employed with other dis- H1 p f p, H heclosurememarid thelerigfth of this entree portion 34 'rably is normally slightly less thar'l'th'depth orfVerticaI Widt v illustrated in? the outer diameter or at lea-st one" o'ft'he' end ortions 32} o 33 normally isg eatertl'iantlie' diameteroftiieflan e'zr, the inner end portion32 being here afnusrrmo as having a merely'toffacilitate useof' this valve with coni f which extremely: high" pressure are yes; It Wi'lfbe'unders'tood arytha't the outer end portion 'r'iliave a greeter'normar diameter'th'an' the central portion 34. The outer end por'ti on 33 tool-guiding) a e se'rorm'edtherein "in a ma ner to e later described; and a slit as ext id in wni u'isnor any closed; and prefera ly-or a width corresponqi g to the diameterof the larger outer portion rille aperture'ssi- Thisslit' as isfcut'throughth e valve with knife-like tool Wit out removing anyl ubber rom "the valve, so t at it is normallf'closd; as illustrated in Fig; 4, and will be maintained such closed'condition the inherent"elasfiiciffbf the rubber, Without the application of any'external forces to the alve; consequentl in its unmounted condisonof i s 4! th me be '9 l m ri e a valve providing a normally closed: passage therethrough in the form of the slit" 3'6 ,which requires the application: of a considerable pressure to its upper end through the aperture 35"t'o open the same when no tool-or the like is employed. for th r q e In the mounting of the valve 29 'intheclosure member-35, the outer-end 'portion 33 is forced tltrough the-aperture 2 6 and the valve somewhat el ngated aXially to assume the position shown in; 2. In: this mounted position,--itl will be seen hat the valve-retaining fiange z jl ainteins s ce v n e m di e r en 3 f the valve incircumierential compression, and also unider some axial: tension by virtue of the relative dimensions of the different portions of the valve and the.-flange 2 1, as previously described. Y, As also previously described herein, the inherentelasticity o f the rubber of which the valve 29 is formed is, sufficient to insure'return; of the valve'. to its" normal closed condition of Fig; 2 upon withdrawal oi; the. tool 3| therefrom and' it has: been found that the "retention-of the central portion 34 under: compression by the flange 21 will insurethe maintenance of the slit 3"fi cl'osed against extremely high pressures;- In facmithas been roumi that the valve-containin closure member 25, constructed "as here irr described and 'dixiiensibnd asillustratedm Fig4 2 wl le'fi piaced ever of this" intermediateportionfi assho'w'n;

rely" through" the valve member lit a suitable test Head;- will not lealrialrd wiii square incl-r.

Referring to Figs; 5;6 and v', the metliod a-njd apparatus for making I the rubber valveflnem'ber 23, which comprises apart of 'the present invention; will now he describ'eda- A- multiple mold 'is therein illustrated which comprises a bottom plate 38-; matchings a er 1 plate 39 an e upper I plate-4lfeach ofwliicli is previded with' multiple vertically aligned apertures for receiving suitable guide and retaining pins 42. The upper plate hasa pluralityofidentical c'ounterbore d recesses, herein shown as twelve- (Fig? 65-, each of which has arr i'n'sert '43 press fitted thereirr, and a n'larg ina-l; annular clearance recess" 44 concentric therewith and comprising an overflow" cavity to receive excess; rubbefstock' during-molding. Each insert 43' is provided witha semi-sphericafrec'esjs 45 centrally located in'its lowerend's'urface; anon stepped bore '48" extending axially therethrou'g h for'mountinga pin-41, as best seeninFig. 5i" Each of the recesses 45 defines the shapeto begl've'n to theouter end portion 33'of' ava'lve' 29,-and the lower ends of thepins 4 are shaped'as shown' in Fig; 5"to function as a core to define the shape of the tool-guiding. recess 3'5'illustrated in Figs:- 2 and 4; It will beunder'sjto od thatboth the inserts 43 and these" core pins" 41' are" press=fitted into tliei'i as sociated counterbored recesses, and the enlarged? portions 'ofth'epores 46"; respe.c'- tively} and may"r ea*dily' be" driven therefrom for pur oses of re lacement" 'cn repair' by virtue f the reduced portions of the counterbored recesses and the bores 46 exteridin'gihroilghthetop, surfaces ofthe" plate'idl and "the inserts13, respecmay; The bottorr'ilplat'e '38fissimilarlt piovided with a plurality 'of'iderit c'all yspaced;counterbored' recesses having" inserts" 48' press-fitted there-inwhijch are correspondingly la c th relation to the inserts. 43', i'nthe' upper p each of which (as illustrated 'ill Fig 5. 5 QIIid' 'YYiS surrounded by a concentricallydisposed; annular clearance recess or overflow cavity 491 Each" of these lower inserts 48" is provided with a semispherical recess 51 centrally located in it's uppi 'l' surface and a ble'ed'er aperture 52 extending vertically thereth'rough axial alignment with each of" the core pins Hwhen thev upper and lower plates 4] and 38' are retained in molding position by the several guide pins 42 interposed between the upper and lower-plates when the moliilis so assembled} is-the spacer plate 39 which, 111 addition to the guideapertures previously referred to for receiving the pins 42,; is also provided With aplurality of apertures 53 axiallyaligned with the recesses 45 and EL These apertures 53 de finethe central 'or intermediate portions; 34 of the: rubber valves 2-9;. With: sucha mold, it=will be seen that a plurality of rubber: valves 291 of fiseompr-ise's a pairor i'dentioal: frame members withstand 'pres'suresim excess of eoo pounus per 7 I6 overlying each other and rigidly secured together intermediate their ends in spaced relation by means of a plurality of rivets 51, or the like, and spacer plates 58. One end of each of these frame members 56 also is secured by welding, or the like, to the ends and centralportion of a vertically disposed, curved handle member 58. The opposite end of each of these frame members 56 is materially reduced in cross-section toprovide an elongated pressure fingerGl terminating at its outer end in a curved flange 62. As is best seen in Figs. 9 and 10, the inner ends of these two flanges 62 normally contact each other, so that together the'two flanges normally present a continuous, curved outer surface for exerting pressure against the end surface of the inner end portion 32 of a valve 28. By grasping the tool 55 by its handle 59 and so directing pressure longitudinally thereof, with the flanges 62 in engagement with the end portion 32 of a valve 28, while retaining a closure member 25 in proper alignment with such valve, either manually or. by means of a suitable holding jig, the smaller, outer end portion 33 of the valve may be readily forced through the aperture 26 of the closure member until the valve assumes its mounted position therein, as shown in Fig. 2.

This tool 55 also is adapted to effect the previously described slitting of the valves 28. For this purpose it is provided with a knife element 63 slidably disposed between the frame members .56. The outer end portion of this knife element 63 has a configuration similar to that of the fingers 6| (Fig. 8), and it is sharpened at its end to provide a slitting point 64. The rear end of this knife element 63 has the same crosssectional shape as this forward portion, both of these parts of the element being guided for longitudinal movement and restrained against lateral movement relative to the fingers 6| by the spacer plates 58. The intermediate portion of the knife element 63 is enlarged laterally at 65 to limit its longitudinal movement relative to the rest of the tool 55 by contact with the inner edges of the spacer plates 58. Secured to the rear edge of this intermediate portion 85 is a narrow tongue 66 of a vertically disposed thumb piece 61, the lower edge of this piece 61 being disposed slightly above the upper surface of the top frame member 56, and the latter having a suitable longitudinal slot 68 (Figs. 9 and therein to accommodate sliding movement of the tongue 66. With this arrangement, longitudinal pressure exerted against the thumb piece 61 will move the knife element 63 relative to the frame members 56 and, as will best be appreciated from Fig. 9, such outward movement of the knife element will cause its slitting point 64 to pass between and beyond the flanges 62. Retraction of the knife element 63 to its normal position, shown in the'drawings, will result in these flanges 62 springing back together into their normal position, as best seen in Fig. 9, wherein the slitting point 64 is protected against contact with any outside object. Consequently, with an unslit valve 28 mounted in a closure member 25 (as shown in Fig. 2), the tool 55 may be placed in axial .alignment therewith with the flanges 62 engaging the outer surface of the inner end portion 32, and when a sharp blow or force is quickly applied to the thumb piece 61, the slitting end 64 of the knife element 63 will be projected beyond the flanges 62 and through the valve 29 to form the desired slit 36 therein without removing any rubber from the valve. Upon subsequent withdrawal of the knife element from the valve to its retracted position of Fig. 9,

:the article of manufacture comprising theapftured-closure member 25and rubber valve. 28

will 'be completed, as illustrated in Fig. 2.

plishing similar slitting of rubber valvemembers 29 and insertion thereof in closure members 25 in 'step-by-step sequence, which is illustratedin Figs.

11 to 16. This machine, which is indicated generally by reference numeral 68, comprises a rotat able table II having a plurality of mechanisms 12 mounted thereon for receiving and retaining in proper relationship to each otherfthe closure members 25 and valve members 29, means for automatically rotating such table in step-by-step movements, means associated with each of such retaining mechanisms 12 for normally moving the same to an open or valve-receiving position, means for automatically loading the closure members 25 individually thereon, means for'automatically loading the valve members 29 individually therein, means for automatically closing said valve-receiving mechanisms 12 in different degrees at different stages of operation of the rotatable table H, shown herein as comprising stationary cam members 13, valve slitting and inserting mechanism, indicated generally by reference numeral 14, located at a final operation stage, and means for cyclically operating this mechanism 14 after each step-by-step movement of the table H. i'

As best seen in Fig. 13, the table II is rotatably mounted on a centrally. disposed, vertically extending, stationary supporting post 15 by any suitable bearing means, shown herein as comprising a sleeve 16 secured by welding to the table by bracing members 11, with a suitable thrust plate or bearing 18 interposed between the lower end of such sleeve and a lower support member 19. The marginal edge surface of this rotatable table II is provided with a plurality of equally spaced teeth 8| corresponding in number to the number of retaining mechanisms 12 and shown as eight in Fig. 11. Suitable means are provided for cooperating with these teeth 8| to impart sequential step-by-step increments of rotation to the table "H, which may take any desired form and are represented in Fig. 11 diagrammatically as comprising a pusher pawl 82 and a springurged locater or back-stop pawl 83 for preventing over-running of the table beyond its proper operating positions or stages. The eight retaining mechanisms 12 are identical with each other, and each comprises a pair of jaw members 84 each having laterally extending base flanges 85 (Fig. 12) for guiding movement of the jaw members radially of the table H in cooperation with the substantially radially disposed side edges of spacer plates 86 rigidly secured to the table H. Mounted on these spacer plates 86, and rigidly secured thereto in any' suitable manner, are a plurality of guide plates 81, the inner edges of which are disposed parallel to the inner edges of the spacer plates 86, overlying the base flanges 85 of the jaw members 84. Each of these jaw members 84 also is provided on each lateral edge with an apertured ear or lug 88. A guide rod 89 extends slidably through each lug 88 of the outer jaw member 84' and is suitably secured within the aperture of the associated lug 88 of the inner jaw member 84. These rods 89 are horizontally disposed, and each has a coil spring 8| mounted thereon, the ends of these springs abutting against the opposed inner surfaces of the associated lugs 88. W

Below eachsuch pair of jaw members is dis,-

posed a closure-member receiving anvil 92 ;in theform of a sleeve :mounted, as illustrated in Fig. 12, ina suitable aperture 93 provided in the table H. As best seen in Fig. 16, the lowerportionof each jaw member 84-is .cut-awayat94 to providesuitable clearance for the sleeve9-2 and a closure member .25 mounted in inverted position thereon. The inner surface :of the upper portion of each .jaw member 84 is provided with a semi-cylindrical recess 95 (Fig. 12), the .lower portion of which is decreased in-diameter'to provide a semi-conicalspace defined by an inward- 1y extending-shoulder 96. Thus, when the opposed jaw members B4 are moved together into contacting relationship'with each other against the actionofthe springs :9], the two recesses 95 form a cylindrical valve-receiving aperture'which is :reduced cross-sectionally at its lower end'by theeshoulders 9B.

,As .bestseen'inF-ig. l3, asstationary plate .91 is mounted in any suitable. manner on the post 15 above, and in. spaced relationship to, the table 1|. The stationary cam members 13 .previously referred to comprise dependingfiange members or'ribs secured to the under surface of this stationary plate 91, as by welding. The opposed verticalsurfaces of these spaced cam ribs -13 are slidably contacted by the outer endsurfaces .of the upper'portionsof 'the'several jaw members 84. As is illustrated inFig. 1'1 vinibroken lines, .at different-locations spacedcircumferentially around the post .75 these cam ribs 13 are spaced from each other at anyone'of three different distances. Considering the table II as being divided :into eightsegmental portions, :each havinga pair of jaw members 84 mounted thereon, that in the lowermost position in :Fig. .11.-is disposed in what will hereinafter bereferredto as the operating position or station. At this point and extendingin either direction 'therefrom forslightly more thanone-eighth of the-.circumferenceof-the table 'II, the cam ribs 73 are in their closest-relationship to each other. Throughout this portion of their length, these cam ribsthusmaintained the jaw :members '84 in :fully closed position in :contact with each other. From-the-left end of this portion'of the cam ribs 13 .(as viewed in Fig. 11') they are spread apart -from'each other-to their Widest :spacing, which permits the springs 91. to

movethe jaw members 84-away from each other Y to'their fully opened positions. Such-spacing of the cam'ribs -13 continues in a clockwise'direction (viewing Fig. 11) to a ,point slightly .beyondthe upper part of this figure, where they converge toward each other to aniintermediate spacing which continues :for slightly more thanthe .following quarter of the stationary plate 91 to the point where they .furtherzc'onvergeto their closest spacing. Viewing Fig. 11,:it will be appreciated that movement .of the .table [1 .:for thearcuate distancesubtending adjacent teeth :8 l, inxa clockwise direction, will causexthat :pa'ir of 'j aw members 84' in'the uppermost .part :ofthisifigure torbe moved toward each other :by the .cam ribs 13 against the action of-th'eirrsprings' Blirom fully opened position :to an intermediate .or partially closed position. ;Such.=movement of the table 1 I likewise'will cause'the cam members-13 ito move that Zpairof -jawmembers B tatthe right-hand side vof Fig. vl1 from ;an;intermediate .to saifully closed position. From the :above, *it .is thought that the sequential opening and=closing=ofthe jaw.members'-84 .of each.of.theretaining-mechan'i'sms 12 throughouttheeight .differentpositions or operating .s'tationsherein provided will new be fully understood.

.-It is contemplated that the uppermost position=or station shown in Fig. 11, wherein the jaw members 84 of the retaining mechanism 12 therein disposed are fully opened, will constitute the loading position for theclosure members 25, and the present invention includes the provision of any suitable automatic hopper-type loading mechanism, illustrated in Fig. 12 diagrammatically :at 98, for individually dispensing a closure member .25- and dropping the same in inverted position onto. the anvil 92 through a suitable aperture 99 .in the plate 91. Subsequent clock- Wise movement of the table H through one-eighth of ,a-complete rotation by the pusher pawl .82 will then close 'these jaw members 84 to their intermediate position, wherein their inner ends will overlie :the closure member .25 so placed von the sleeve or anvil 92. The nextsimilar incremental movement of the table II will bring thi same receiving :mechanism 12 to the-third stage illustrated;at the right-hand side of Fig. 11, .wherea similar automatic hopper-type loading mecha-.

nism198 is mounted for individually feeding the unslit Valves 29 in inverted position into the .receiving aperture defined by the jaw recesses 95 through another aperture 99 in the plates .91 similarto that locatedat-the first stage. Thenext incremental movementof the table 'll .will then cause the-cam members 13 to completely close this pair of jaw members 84, which will squeeze the rubber valve 29 deposited therebetween slightly, because the aperture formed by the .recesses-95isa trifle smaller indiameter than that of the largerend-portion 32 of the valve. The

valve will then be held firmly in the position shown in Fig. 13 directly above, and in .axial alignmentiwith, the closure member 25previously deposited-on the associated anvil 92. Thisparticular retaining "mechanism 12 thereafter will be :moved into the fifth or operating stageby the next operation of the pusher pawl 82.

:Locatedat this operating stage or position, as

best-illustrated in Fig. l3,'is:the valve slittingand inserting mechanism 14 previously referred to. This 'imechanism comprises a hollow casing-l0l reduced at its lower end to seat in a suitable aperture I02 extending through the horizontal, stationary plate 91, to which the casing is secured .fin any-suitable manner. The upper end oft'the-casingjis externallythreaded to receive-an apertured cover 103 for guiding the upper portion of 'asleeve "I04 which is provided at itslower end witha valve-inserting plug I05. The bore of ;the casing illll .is reduced at'its lower end to provide a guide or bearing portion for the lower end of ithecombined sleeve and plug HM, Hi5 and a shoulder'on which'the lower .end of a coil spring [06 rests. The "spring 106 is disposed between theisleeve 104 andthecasing 10!, and theupper end :of this-spring engages a flange I01 formed integrally withnor secured in any suitable manner to, the'sleevei! 114i intermediate the ends:there-' of. At its'upper end, this sleeveilM'has a-cam follower v orroller l llflrotatably mounted. thereon for=engagementwvith theedge of azdisk camtl'fl9 secured 'to-a horizontally disposed shaft HI rotatablysupported in any suitablemanner.

slidably'mounted in the bore'of the sleeve I04 is a;piston-like' member 1 I2 having a bore whic'h is reduc'ed at its lower end to receive'the shank portion'of -a slittingtoolor knife blade H3, As

tislittingtool I'I'3;terminates in a head portion-or is'bestseen'in Fig. 16,'the' lower end offthisslitting "tool H 3 normally is --slidably disposed in a bore 1 l4'0f the-plug I05. The upper endflof the enlarged flange against which the balled or enlarged lower end of a thrust link H is maintained by a hollow retaining nut I I6 screwed into the tapped upper end of the bore of the member H2. The upper end of the thrust link H5 is rotatably secured in any suitable manner to the inner end of an actuating lever II'I extending through a suitable slot in the sleeve I04. The outer end of this lever I I1 is rotatably supported by a pair of vertical posts H8 (Figs. 11 and 13), and this lever has a bracket I I9 upstanding therefrom intermediate its ends, upon the upper end of which a cam follower or roller I2I is rotatably mounted. Below the bracket H9, the actuating lever H1 is provided with a depending spring guide I22 engaging within the upper end of a coil spring I23, which is supported at its lower end by a block I24 mounted in any suitable manner on a horizontal frame member I25 secured to the stationary plate 91 and the post I I8. The roller I2I engages the edge of a cam disk I26 which is secured to a horizontally disposed shaft I21 rotatably supported in any desired manner in parallel relationship to the shaft I I I. Suitable means are provided for cyclically actuating the shafts III and I21, illustrated in broken lines in Fig. 13 and indicated by reference numeral I28, adapted to impart one complete revolution in a clockwise direction to the cams I09 and I26 in unison between each step-by-step movement imparted to the rotatable table II by the pusher pawl 82.

These several parts of the valve slitting and inserting mechanism 14 normally are disposed in their positions of Fig. 16, wherein the spring I06 maintains the valve-inserting plug I05 and sleeve I04 in its uppermost position, and the spring I23 acting against the lever I I1 maintains the slitting tool H3 in its uppermost or fully retracted position. In this normal position of rest of these parts, the rollers I08 and I2I (Fig. 13) respectively engage the rest portions I09a and I26a of the cam disks I09 and I26. After the first quarter of each cyclic rotation of these cam disks, they assume the positions illustrated in Fig. 13, wherein their respective edge portions I09?) and I26b are engaged by the followers I08 and I2I. It will be understood that a valve-retaining mechanism 12 has previously been moved into vertical alignment with this mechanism 14 and with a valve 29 and closure member 25 mounted therein prior to such rotation of the cams I09 and I26. Consequently, the first quarter revolution of these cams will move the plug I05 downwardly from its position of Fig. 16 to its position of Fig. 13 which slightly compresses the rubber valve 29 to ensure proper position thereof in the aperture formed by the recesses 95 in the jaw members 84. At the same time, the slitting tool I I3 also has been moved downwardly against the action of the spring I23 by the cam I26 to its position of Fig. 13, wherein the lower end thereof is disposed adjacent the lower end of the plug I05. During the subsequent quarter revo-' lution of these cams, cam I09 and spring I06 retain the plug I05 in the position of Figs. 13 and 14, since that portion of this cam between its points I09?) and I090 has a constant radius. However, the corresponding portion of the cam I26 between its points I26b and I260 comprises a bulge having a sharply increasing and following decreasing radius, whereby such second quarter revolution of the cams will cause a quick depressing of the slitting tool H3 from its position of Fig. 13 to its position of Fig. 14 to completely pierce the rubber valve 29, followed by return thereof to its'position of Figs. 13 and 15 by the spring I23. The third quarter of the cam I26 has a substantially constant radius from its point I26c to its point I26d of Fig. 13, while the corresponding portion of the cam I09 extending from its point I09c to its point IBM has a gradually increasing radius which results in depression of the plug I05 from its position of Fig. 14 to that illustrated in Fig. 15. This downward movement of the plug I05 results in extrusion of the previously slit rubber valve 29 through the small aperture in the retaining mechanism I2, defined by the shoulders 96, to insert this valve in the aperture of the closure member 25 supported therebelow by the anvil 92. The decreasing radii of the cams I09 and I26 between their points I09d and I09a, and i26d and I26a results in these several moving parts being returned by the springs I06 and I23 to their normal positions of rest illustrated in Fig. 16 during the final quarter of rotation of the shafts III and I21.

Thus, as each valve-retaining mechanism 12 is moved by rotation of the table II to a position of rest in the fifth or operating station below the slitting and inserting mechanism 14, the latter has one complete cycle of operations imparted thereto by a single rotation being given simultaneously to each of the shafts III and I2! by the actuating means I28. It will be understood that this latter actuating means is adapted to be cyclically operated in any suitable manner in proper timed relation relative to the pusher pawl 82 and simultaneously with the feeding action of the two hopper-type loading mechanisms 99 disposed, respectively, at the first and third operating positions of the table 'II. During each such cyclic actuation of the slitting and inserting mechanism I4, the inserting plug I05 first is depressed from its clearing and normal position of Fig. 16 to that illustrated in Figs. 13 and 14 to ensure positive retention of the rubber valve 29 positioned at the operating stage. Such slight downward movement of the plug I05 is accompanied by an ineffective downward movement of the slitting tool H3 from its position of Fig. 16 to that illustrated in Fig. 13. This depression of the tool I I3 continues in uninterrupted manner, while the plug I05 remains stationary in its retaining position of Figs. 13 and 14, to cause the lower cutting tip thereof to be passed downwardly completely through the valve 29 to its position of Fig. 14. Such slitting of the valve does not result in the removal of any of the rubber thereof, so that such forming of the slit 36 will permit the member 29 to function subsequently as a valve without requiring any compressive'retaining means, as previously described herein. Since this slitting action of the tool H3 comprises an extremely rapid operation, the shoulders 96 of the jaw members 84 are effective to prevent any downward displacement of the valve during this slitting operation. Continued rotation of the cams I09 and I26 results in upward retraction of the slitting tool I I3 and downward movement of the plug I05 to their posi-' tions of Fig. 15. Such downward movement of plug I05 forces the slit valve 29 through the aperture defined by the shoulders 96 and into its position of Fig. 15. As previously mentioned, this restricted aperture is of lesser diameter than that of the aperture 26 in the closure mem-' ber 25 and, because the upper surfaces of the cut-i away portions 94 are disposed relatively close to the closure member 25 mounted on the anvil 92 and such forcing of the valve 29 from the jaw members 84 is accomplished very rapidly, the

valve will be substantially elongated in such ej ectingoperation" to move Y the smaller end per-- These tion of relieving theclosure member 25 of any strain during insertion of the valve 23 therein. Upon subsequent lifting of theplug I05 andslitting tool- H3 from their positions of- Fi'g; to

those illustrated in Fig. 16 by the springs I'Ofi and I23, thenormally larger end portion of the valve 29 has a part thereof maintained under compression in theretaining mechanism I2, as illustrated: in Fig.1 15.. However, the valve 29 will automatically assume its: final. position of.

Fig. 16 in the closure memberl E-uponspreading apart of the'iaw members by their springs BI as this'retaining mechanism-' I-T'is moved towards its seventh position, as illustrated at theleft hand sideof-"Fig. 11.

When each retainingmechanism- I2 is. moved to this seventh stage, suitable unloadlng mechanism, indicated generally by "reference numeral I29, becomes -efiective--to automatically" remove the completed valve-containing closure member from the machine: This-unloading mechanism comprises a vertically disposed lifting rod I3! normally positioned below therotatable table II and operable during each pause in the incremental rotations-of thetable to be moved upe' ward-lythrough theanvil 92 then aligned there-- with. Such raising of'therod m, which maybe accomplished pneumatically by air' pressure ob'- tained' as the exhaustof the piston-like structure IQI, lflfl I2,-lifts the valve-containing member '25=from' theanvil'92. The leading edge of such" valve=containing-closure member (the top, edge viewing Fig: 11) is thus raised into contact with the inner endof a conveyor' I32 which is disposed aboveL-L-the-statibnary plate 91. It will be understood that this inner. end of the conveyor 1 I32 overli'es a suitable. aperture 99 in theplate 91 to provide an exit for the closure member. Continued raising of the rod I3I thus causes this closure member to be tilted about this inner edge of theconveyor and forced to fall onto the latter. The conveyor I32 preferably is in the form of a plurality of freely rotatable rollers suitably spaced from each other and horizontally disposed in successively decreasing heights outwardly of the table II and cover plate 91. A bin I33 is disposed adjacent the outer end of the conveyor I32 to receive the completed valve-containing closure members 25 thus delivered thereto.

It will be noted that the method of slitting the valve members 29 and mounting the same in the closure members 25, as thus effected automatically by the machine 69 above described, differs from that resulting from the use of the manual slitting and inserting tool 55. The latter is adapted first to insert a valve in a closure member and then slit the same, whereas the machine 69 effects slitting of the valve prior to its insertion or mounting in a closure member. The present invention, however, in its broader aspects, includes these optional reversals of the slitting and inserting steps, although it is preferred that the slitting of the valves be accomplished before the insertion or mounting thereof in the closure members. In fact, so far as the article of manuiacture comprising the closure member 25 is concerned, the slit 36 in the valve 29 may be preformed during the molding of the valve, if desired, in a manner similar to the previously :zgsemeem describedmethod. of" forming. the: toot-guiding;

aperture .35. It will be appreciated that-rtheima chine E9 illustrated-in- Figs; 11- to l'fi may I employonly four stations of operation, .since only the first, third, fifth and'seventhstationsfor the reetaining mechanisms 12' illustrated "are active incharacter. On the other hand; anyothernumber. of retaining mechanisms 72 F greater-or less thanthe I eight herein shown also may be employed? if desireda It is thought that the invention andmany of 'its attendant advantages will be understood from theforegoingdescription, and it will-beapparent that various changes maybe made in the form, construction, and arrangement of the parts and in the various steps of'the method dis-'- closed Without departing from the spirit and scope of'the invention orsacrificingall'of 'its" material advantages, the form, 'mechanismhh'd method 'stepsfhereinbefore described being merely apreferredembodiment ofithefinvention:

Iclaim 1. In combination in' a can; ametai 'walltherofi" havinga' metal tubular" flange providing a as:

sage therethrough for" communication with. the;

inside and outside of said'can, a rubberv'alve body member having a valve port therethrough and having a diameter greater than thato'fsa'id. passage when unrestricted therein, said metal. tubular flangeconstituting a'valve casing carry ing and circumferentially constricting. said body member in said passage, preventingcircumferem tial expansion of the circumferenti'allyJconstrict ed body-member in said passage, and permitting. elastic elongation of said circumferentially con.-

stricted. body member. upon theapplication thereto of a. force transversely thereoflsaid body member, when circumferentially. constricted in. said.. passage, providinga transverse centripetal elastic force yieldably. holding said valve port closed and. sealing said ipassage and the rubber of said cir-- cumferentially constricted bod member being yieldable upon the application thereto ofa trans verse centrifugal force within said valve port to permit opening thereof, a mounting member integral with an end of said body member and having a port therethrough communicating at one end with the adjacent end of said valve port, and another mounting member integral with the opposite end of said body member and having a port therethrough communicating at one end with the adjacent end of said valve port and providing access thereto for opening the same, said mounting members being of greater diameter than said body member before constriction thereof in said valve casing, outside and at the opposite ends of said passage, respectively, and engageable with the opposite ends of said valve casing to prevent removal of said body member from said valve casing.

2. In combination in a valved container, a container wall having a portion of rigid material provided with an aperture therethrough for communication with the inside and outside of said container, a rubber valve body member having a valve port therethrough and having a diameter greater than that of said aperture when unrestricted therein, said portion of rigid material constituting a valve casing carrying and circumferentially constricting said body member in said aperture, preventing circumferential expansion of the circumferentially constricted body member in said aperture, and permitting elastic elongation of said circumferentially constricted body member upon the application thereto of a force transversely thereof, said body member, when circumferentially constricted in said aperture, providing a transverse centripetal elastic force yieldably holding said valve port closed and sealing said aperture and the rubber of said circumferentially constricted body member being yieldable upon the application thereto of a transverse centrifugal force within said valve port to permit opening thereof, a mounting. member integral with an end of said body member and having a port therethrough communicating at one end with the adjacent end of said valve port, and another mounting portion integral with the opposite end of said body member and having a port therethrough communicating at one end with the adjacent end of said valve port and providing access thereto for opening the same, said mounting members being engageable with the opposite endsof said valve casing to prevent removal of said body member from said valve casing.

3. In a .valved container, the combination set forth in claim 2, wherein said mounting members are outwardly adjacent the opposite ends oi -said valve casing and one of said mounting members is of larger diameter than said body member before circumferential constriction thereof in said valve casing.

4. In combination in a valved container, a container-wall portion 'of rigid material having an aperture therethrough for communication with the inside and outside of said container, a rubber plug having integral, opposite end and elastic intermediate members and plugging said aperture with the opposite end members inside and outside of said container, respectively, and with said elastic intermediate member held under circumferential constriction and prevented from circumferential expansion in said'aperture by the peripheral wall of said aperture to close and seal said aperture, said intermediate member being free for elongation and the rubber of said elastic intermediate member being flowable while in said aperture to yield transversely and to elongate in response to transverse force applied thereto and to return to its initial relationship with said aperture and the peripheral wall thereof upon ing said transverse force to establish and inter-v rupt communication between the inside and outside of said container through the plugged aperture.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 670,725 Pickett Mar. 26, 1901 996,588 Kennedy 'June 27, 1911 1,617,066 Lush Feb. 8, 1927 1,624,224 Easterlin Apr. 12, 1927 1,701,863 Reichel Feb. 12, 1929 1,702,974 MacDonald Feb. 19, 1929 1,739,871 Smith Dec. 17, 1929 1,748,682 Smith Feb. 25, 1930 1,932,226 Pierce Oct. 24, 1933 1,969,777 Burke Aug. 14, 1934 2,065,121 DeLaney Dec. 22, 1936 2,071,213 Perry Feb. 16, 1937 2,122,299 Sloan June 28, 1938 2,134,119 Franz Oct. 24, 1938 2,176,565 Boynton Oct. 17, 1939 2,253,611 Davis Aug. 26, 1941 2,328,863 Threm Sept. 7, 1943 2,393,322 Houghton e Jan. 22, 1946 2,412,169 O'Neil Dec. 13, 1946 2,429,183 Goldberg Oct. 14, 1947 2,438,642 Martin Mar. 30, 1948 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 426,786 Great Britain Apr. 10, 1935 IRL I. TUBBS. 

